Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity And Step Counts Of Parent-Child Dyads During Self-Paced Walking Sessions

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and step counts during two outdoor, self-paced walking sessions in parent-child dyads. METHODS: Parent-child dyads [n = 50; age (mean ± SD), parents: 41.8 ± 4.0 years, children: 9.3 ± 1.9 years] wore ActiGraph wGT3X-BT devices on their right hips during two ten-minute walking trials: parent and child walking together and parent walking alone (order was randomized for each dyad). Participants were provided a rest between the trials, where parents completed a questionnaire and children were asked to color. For adults, step counts and time spent in MVPA were compared between the two conditions using paired t-tests. Additionally, time spent in MVPA was compared between parents and children while walking together using a paired t-test. RESULTS: 48 out of 50 parents (96%) had a higher step count when walking alone than when walking with their child. Compared to walking with their child, step counts increased, on average, by 76.2 steps [95% CI: (57.2, 95.2), p < 0.001] when walking alone. Adults attained high percentages of time spent in MVPA walking alone (99.8%) than when walking with their child (96.6%). However, more of this time was categorized as vigorous physical activity when walking alone (13.6%) compared to when walking with their child (3.0%) [p = 0.006]. Contrastingly, while walking together, children attained MVPA for a lower percentage of the walking session (71.4%) than their parent [p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Both children and parents attained MVPA while walking together; however, parents accumulated higher step counts and more vigorous physical activity while walking alone. Future physical activity programs should consider differences in MVPA and steps counts if adults and children are asked to walk together for health benefits.